Dobro strung for C6, E7, C#m instead of G standard bluegrass

[Randy Wade]

I like to play in some all acoustic jam sessions sometimes but straight G dobro tuning has never been my favorite. I am thinking of putting a set of strings on my dobro with gauges for C6 that I can also easily tune to E7 and C#m. Anyone here using those tunings on dobro?

[Dan Johnson]

I use E7 on my dobro and love it .

[Fred]

I've used C6 in the past but right now my dobro has the Leavitt tuning on it.

[Gary C. Dygert]

I use E6 or E7. I like having the 1 (E) on top.

[Robert Murphy]

I tune to A11 on my Dobro so I can get full Major minor dom 7 and diminished plus min 7 and 6th with no slants. Diatonic and penatonic scales are within easy reach.

[Kekoa Blanchet]

Some time ago, Basil Henriques posted this Jerry Byrd video on YouTube. Sure looks like C6 on that Dobro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_oaEw0p3js

In an earlier posting of a similar question, other forum members suggested using A6 or G6 instead, to hit more of the resonator's sweet spot. I've got a tricone tuned G6 (low-to-high G B D E G B, same intervals as C6) and like it. Never did try new strings to put C6 on the guitar. Still curious about it, though -- the guitar in that Jerry Byrd video sure sounds good. Let us know if you try it.

[George Keoki Lake]

When Marty asked Jerry for the chord of D in that old YouTUBE, Jerry played it on the 2nd fret...obviously tuned to C6. I prefer E6th on my NATIONAL Tri-cone, (E on top) as it allows for C#m without having to re-tune the beast.

[Ray Shakeshaft]

My Goldtone PBS has been tuned C6/A7 for the last 18 months. No problems at all but I am still looking for a Republic tricone (brass S/N).

[L. Bogue Sandberg]

Since I'm used to G as my root and mostly play an 8 string in G13, I have a 6 string set up for G6 as (hi->lo so Mike Neer won't get mad at me) DBGEDB. Since this is the old Hawaiian A6 down a step, you can do a lot of variations with it, as was pointed out in a recent thread regarding A6. I use a .030 for the E with the other five from my usual G tuning set. From other comments and discussions, it's clear most any non-pedal tuning can be adapted, although some folks indicate very light strings, like a high G, don't come through real good. I haven't tried that.

Acoustic guitars produce no greenhouse gases, even if their players do...

Bogue

[Mike Neer]

Randy, you can't retune a C6 set to the traditional C#min7 tuning--you'd need heavier strings for the bass. For E7 tuning, I think you would encounter a similar problem.

I would like to recommend E9 tuning, which can use the C6 string set:

E
B
G#
F#
D
B

It is a great tuning that I've been using for several years. You can tune the 2nd string up to C# for an E13, which puts the top 3 strings into C#mi territory.

[Randy Wade]

Here is what I have in mind:

C6----------E7---------C#m7

1 E-----------E------------E
2 C-----------B-----------C#
3 A-----------G#---------G#
4 G-----------E-----------E
5 E-----------D-----------C#
6 C-----------B-----------B

The gauges are close enough to get them all three on my lap steel so I figure I could come up with a compromise of some sort on dobro too.

[John Drury]

I have had C6 with an E on top for quite a few years, Bought a 2nd dobro and tried open G a couple years back and a 3rd with the E tuning. Don't play the G all that much but have come to like the E.

Not cool to keep cranking a resonator around between different guage strings and radically different tunings. You can only expect so much from a reso setup without having to readjust spider/cone tension, etc..

Better to set it and forget it. JMOHO

[Robbie Daniels]

I use the C6/A7 tuning top to bottom E C A G E C#
I learned C6 many years ago and just can't get into the G tuning.

[basilh]

Some time ago, Basil Henriques posted this Jerry Byrd video on YouTube. Sure looks like C6 on that Dobro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_oaEw0p3js

I actually comment on the video and say, "Jerry's own special C6/A7 from the top down-
E-C-A-G-E-C#-A"

Played on a SEVEN String modified REGAL resonator that was Shot Jackson's..
Born out in the discussion here :- Click

And Notice Jerry re-tuning JUST the 2nd string for A7 in the Hilo March (at 12:17), that would lead to the conclusion that string 6 was already C#. (A fact born out if you analyse his use of 'pockets')

[basilh]

Just to illustrate how E6th and C6th works on a Resonator Guitar,
THIS is E6 Reso, also THIS is
and The Second part of this is C6 on a resonator guitar.

[Doug Beaumier]

Basil, I like your version of Swedish Rhapsody! What a great tune.

[basilh]

Thanks Doug, it's my contribution to the Forum member's MP3/CD..not easy on a resonator though..the pedal steel part was a breeze..or should that be a wheeze considering my COPD..(I promised not to mention it again, only by acronymistic (acronymous) inference !)

(I had to dig deep for that penultimate word..!!I think I bent a couple of rules)

[Jerry Hayes R.I.P.]

Randy, on one of my Dobros and one of my lapsteels I use a G6th tuning which is low to hight B D E G B D. What's nice is that by just retuning the 1st string D to E and the 3rd string G to G# you then have an E7th. I have the lap steel set up with Keith/Scruggs banjo tuners on strings 1, 3 and 5 so I can do it on the fly or in mid song if need be. The reasoning for the tuner on the 5th string is to lower it to C# so I can have an E6th if need be. By the basic tuning being the G6th I still have the Dobro licks available if needed.....JH in Va.

[Randy Wade]

Thanks all you fellows for your advice. Basil I am sure enjoying listening to your steel playing! I've been listening to your songs on the HSGA website. You are amazing on that Fender 1000. What tunings/pedals do you use on there?

[basilh]

Randy.....Kindly assembled by my STAR Student Joerg Schubert :-
Click HERE

[Bob Watson]

I tuned up an old Regal I had to C6 for awhile and thought it seemed a little too high pitched for that dobro, it would cut good but it didn't have the volume. I have since tuned it to G6 ( Low to High, G,B,D,E,G,B ) and it sounds a lot better to me and seems to blend better with the band I play it in. I am going to buy one of the Goldtone/Beard 8 string dobros pretty soon. I plan to use the tuning it comes with, E,G,B,D,E,G,B,D . I will probably expirement with some other tunings after awhile but if you listen to Gary Morse's cd "Resophonic Rodeo", he gets a whole lot out of a 7 string Beard tuned to G,B,D,E,G,B,D . I figure that the low E won't get in the way too much and I want to dig into that tuning before I move on. I have an old 8 string Fender lap steel that I tune to C6/A7 and I'm thinking a G version of that might be cool on the dobro. Good luck with whatever tuning you end up using.

[basilh]

Living over here "In the Sticks" it's easy to be out of touch.. I was surprised by your post Bob, I didn't know that Goldtone/Beard and Gibson/Dobro™ had gone into partnership..

According to Beard's web site they still are making just "resophonic guitars" And Gibson are still just making "Dobro™" Resonator Guitars..

Also I didn't know that the Regal resonator was made by "Dobro™" either..

You certainly live and learn here on the "Forum"
2 Corinthians 11:19

[Bob Watson]

basilh,
I did not realize that I was being “politically incorrect”. I certainly had no intention of offending you or anyone else. I will try to be more sensitive in my future posts concerning “resonator” or “resophonic” instruments.
Bob

[basilh]

Bob, it's just my vitriolic type of ire and humour..no hurt intended.. in fact it WAS intended to be slightly amusing.. you know making fun of the Freudian slip and faux pas, somewhat like comparing your post to the oft stated "Honey i'm just going to Hoover the dining room (with an Electrolux)"

Certainly there was no intent to offend just maybe create a slight wry smile hither and thither..

[Don Barnhardt]

If my memory serves me right Dobro and Regal made guitars for each other (pre-war anyway). It's my understanding that all present day Regals are made in China and not by Gibson/Dobro.